Ethereal Redemption Chapter 20

ERIC’S POVShe rolled in from the west in a summer sundress, hotter than the heat in July
With her wind blown hair it just wasn’t fair the way she was blowin’ my mindHave you ever noticed every hurricane gets its name from a girl like thisShe’s a cat five kind, keeps you up at night hangin’ on to the edge of a kissShe’s a beautiful mess, the kind you love to love but what happens next,I got a feeling when the sun comes up I’m gonna wish I had a storm warning~ Storm Warning, Hunter Hayes

I had gone to my day rest in blissful peace after having made love to my beautiful twice-bonded. The light-tight shutters had enabled me to fall asleep next to my little fae and I had expected her to be at my side when I rose. Of course, she threw me off centre by not being present. My sleep had been disturbed, though: For the first time in 1000 years, I had dreamt. It wasn’t the sweet dream I had hoped for, though, one where my lover would allow me to claim her and make love to her. No, this dream had been raw, a memory of my former life and even in my day rest, I had struggled with the emotions. At some point, while I was forced to watch the death of my family again, I felt a surge of my lover’s emotions, a spike of anger and a wave of jealousy. How curious. Thankfully, the memory had been relatively short and had slipped away some time ago, allowing me to enjoy the rest of my day death in peace.

The moment the sun dipped below the horizon my eyes snapped open, my bond with Godric flourishing into life as he too woke. Bringing my thumb and forefinger up, I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to shake the feelings from earlier. Sensing my distress, it came as no surprise that my Maker entered my room quickly, clad in a pair of soft white cotton jogging pants and a soft white t-shirt with the top three buttons undone to showcase his tattoo. I figured he did it purely to appease Ata if her comments when she first met him were anything to go by.He looked at me with concern for a moment before sitting at the end of the bed. “I felt your distress in your day rest, will you please share with me what that was about?” He inquired gently, allowing me an out if I didn’t wish too.

He looked at me with concern for a moment before sitting at the end of the bed. “I felt your distress in your day rest, will you please share with me what that was about?” He inquired gently, allowing me an out if I didn’t wish too.

Usually I was good at controlling my emotions, but that had been the single worst moment of my life – both alive and undead. “I dreamt for the first time in over a thousand years about the murder of my family. It was so clear and I could do nothing to end it, it was like a movie without the stop button, Godric,” I explained, finally letting my hand fall and my eyes lock onto my Maker’s. He knew I wasn’t after sympathy, so instead, he pushed his love for me through our bond and stood, gently rubbing my shoulder in a manner a father would a scared child. “Come, my son. Our mates await us. I can feel Ata’s guilt and amusement through my weak bond with her. What do you feel from Miss Stackhouse?” He asked me as a diversion, once again formally addressing my twice bonded.

“I feel Sookie’s amusement too, and slight embarrassment,” I responded with a small smile. Rising from the bed I didn’t care that I was naked, my Maker had seen me unclothed hundreds of times. Moving to the walk-in wardrobe I pulled on some clean underwear and a pair of black jogging bottoms with my go-to black wife beater. I had no idea what the plans for the evening were: I could always change later.

I could sense my lover within the penthouse: She was not far away. My Maker walked before me, following his own tie to Ata. As we approached the door to the kitchen area their conversation became audible.

“That’s my fault, sorry. We were a little rough with one another, seems neither of us could get enough of the other. I guess he had his bond with Eric open and the poor guy felt his lust and took it out on you.” Ata was apologising to my Sookie. That explains why I practically ravaged Sookie last night! Looking down at Godric, due to height and not disrespect, I quirked an eyebrow in his direction. A sheepish smile graced his boyish features as he looked up at me.

“It’s fine, I think I got to experience of at least eight-hundred years of his thousand years of experience,” Sookie laughed, “and if that was anything to go by, I don’t think I want to know what it was like to be on the receiving end of 2000 years of experience!” I couldn’t help but smirk; I was known for my sexual prowess. Perhaps it was time to show my lover what a full 1000 years of experience would be like? My mind wandered away for a few minutes as I fantasised about everything I could do with my lover. I knew that some things would be a little too much for her but I hoped she was up for experimenting a little. I would never push her too far, though.

“I tell you, he did this wonderful thing with his tongue where h-“ That curveball had both of us reeling. Surely she wasn’t one to kiss and tell? Of course, Godric clearly seemed pleased that she’d enjoyed his ministrations, and I couldn’t help but wonder how much my Maker had advanced in that department. He had only ever been with a few women during the centuries I had spent with him, and that had only come about due to bloodlust. I suppose he could have read up about it, I owned quite a collection of erotic literature and ‘manuals’, at least whatever talents he had acquired he’d put to good use.

“Woah! Too much information! Stop! Stop!” Sookie demanded. I could feel the embarrassment and shock through the bond, and it was almost too much to bear. Ah, at least Ata was able to wind up my lover during the day when I could not.

My Maker’s mate started laughing loudly and freely, “Your face was priceless! You are far too easy to embarrass!”

Sensing it was time to enter, Godric motioned for me to follow his lead and he casually pushed the kitchen door open, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed across his chest, a hint of a smirk on his lips. “Personally, I don’t think you should stop there. Tell me more,” he asked of his mate. I stood behind him, thoroughly entertained with the scene. I took in Ata’s large grin as she slid from the barstool and practically bounced up to Godric, planting a sweet kiss to his lips. Turning, I then observed my Sookie’s smile, but I felt a tinge of nervousness through the bond and was that, fear? Yes, it was. Why on earth would she be fearful?

“How was your day rest?” she asked with a flutter of her eyelashes. The memories from earlier flooded my mind and I took a moment to compose myself before flashing her one of my dazzling smiles.

“Absolutely wonderful, how was your day?” I asked in response, crossing the room to her and pulling her off the stool and into my embrace. Her arms wrapped themselves around my neck and she gave me a chaste kiss.

“It was great, Ata and I started working on some of my abilities. She has this amazing studio upstairs and it’s all hidden away where she can practice undisturbed. She taught me all about my light and dre-…urm…other stuff.” She quickly repaired her words, slapping on her ‘Crazy Sookie’ smile. Something smelt fishy.

“You even smell like the sunshine, carissimus. Did you lie outside today?” Godric asked Ata, leaning in to sniff her skin. Copying his actions, I sniffed Sookie’s neck and was hit with the heady scent of her blood and sunshine.

“I did, we both did actually, especially for the pair of you,” Ata told my Maker with a sweet smile, pressing a chaste kiss to his lips before moving out of his arms and towards Sookie and me. She stopped by my side, looking at my twice bonded with complete affection. “Sookie did so well today, she picked up everything so quickly. I was quite surprised that she picked everything up with such ease given the small fraction of fae blood in her,” Ata commented. My Sookie had looked up at me, my eyes locked on hers and I gave her a smile, pushing my pride for her through the bond. She accepted it gratefully and sent me back a wave of love.

Spotting an opportunity, I voiced the one thing that had been bothering me since I had awoken. “It seems it’s a day of surprises, I dreamt for the first time in over 1000 years,” I mused aloud.

Almost instantaneously Sookie’s heartbeat rapidly sped up, and Ata’s increased a little too. Ah, I sense that they had something to do with that. The two seem to be having a silent conversation, their eyes locked as they obviously work out whatever it is they’re going to say. “I bet that was a nice change,” Ata finally breaks the silence, flashing me a smile that probably gets every male in the casino to spend more money. I’m immune to it, though; my Sookie’s smile is my favourite.

“It would have been, but my dream wasn’t too pleasant,” I commented with a shrug, acting as if it didn’t bother me. I heard Ata gulp and Sookie’s hands, which were resting on the back of my neck, had a thin layer of perspiration on them.

“Oh, that’s a shame,” Sookie murmured, her eyes darting between Ata and me.

“What were the ‘other things’ Ata taught you, there was something about dre- but then you cut off?” I pushed, knowing I would need a firm hand with this.“It’s my fault, I’m sorry. Please don’t be mad, I didn’t know what would happen.” Sookie finally cracked, tears welling up in my eyes. I heard Ata sigh lowly in frustration, while I didn’t appreciate her trying to keep my bonded from telling me things I understood the frustration. Sookie would need to toughen up and learn not to crack. Edgington could take her at any moment and she would need to be mentally strong enough not to give in and spill everything.

“It’s my fault, I’m sorry. Please don’t be mad, I didn’t know what would happen.” Sookie finally cracked, tears welling up in my eyes. I heard Ata sigh lowly in frustration, while I didn’t appreciate her trying to keep my bonded from telling me things I understood the frustration. Sookie would need to toughen up and learn not to crack. Edgington could take her at any moment and she would need to be mentally strong enough not to give in and spill everything.

At the realisation, however, that Sookie had witnessed that memory, my jaw clenched and my eyes rounded onto Ata who stood tall, chin out in a defiant stance. My anger was almost threatening to bubble over. How dare she dictate what my lover should do to me when I am vulnerable in my day rest. “You dared to suggest she pry on my mind in my sleep?” I hissed at the older female.

In the time it had taken me to turn my eyes to her, Godric had slinked up behind her, standing protectively over her, poised to strike. The thought that my Maker would harm me if I were to hurt Ata cut deeply, but I reminded myself that it would be seen as a blood offense given that they have started the bonding process, and for that Godric could do as he pleased with me. Weighing up my options I settled for a scathing glare, one that I had used many times over the centuries, which had turned powerful vampires into frightened puddles. Yet the woman before me stood tall still, not bothered by my gaze.“We were working on dream infiltration and you happened to be the only sleeping being that Sookie trusts enough to experiment with. I apologise that we didn’t ask but let’s face it, all four of us were rather busy last night,” she pointed out, and even though I hated to admit it, she was right. Glancing at my bonded she remained in my arms, though I could feel a tinge of her fear, a tear had slipped down her cheek, and not one to waste any; I scooped it up and popped it in my mouth. Wonderful.

“We were working on dream infiltration and you happened to be the only sleeping being that Sookie trusts enough to experiment with. I apologise that we didn’t ask but let’s face it, all four of us were rather busy last night,” she pointed out, and even though I hated to admit it, she was right. Glancing at my bonded she remained in my arms, though I could feel a tinge of her fear, a tear had slipped down her cheek, and not one to waste any; I scooped it up and popped it in my mouth. Wonderful.

“She asked you a question and your dream gave her a response, though I truly don’t think it was the response she was after. Don’t take it out on her, I obviously didn’t tell her how to phrase the question correctly, Viking. She was doing as instructed. If you have an issue with anything then you can take it up with me,” the eldest faery continued.

Turning to my lover I looked down at her for a moment. “What was the question you asked?” I demanded, resenting that my privacy had been shattered. I would need to know what she’d requested before I could lay blame at the other faery’s feet and make her pay for it. At this moment, I cared none for whatever punishment Godric would dish out. I had no qualms in sharing information with my lover about my past, she could know it all if she wanted, but hearing it and seeing it were two different things entirely. Also, by telling her verbally I could miss out the worst parts.“I wanted…” she whispered, her voice scratchy before she cleared her throat. “I wanted to know what it was you were after in Russell’s mansion, why you shouted at me and told me I meant nothing to you,” she answered me.

“I wanted…” she whispered, her voice scratchy before she cleared her throat. “I wanted to know what it was you were after in Russell’s mansion, why you shouted at me and told me I meant nothing to you,” she answered me.

Everything stopped as that memory hit me like a freight train. She’d been sitting in Russell’s study, and I’d had her pinned in place in her chair, I’d been right up in her face, spitting at her that she meant nothing to me. I’d never apologised nor explained. That was why she’d rebuffed me so much the moment she’d returned from Faery. I’d told her she meant nothing to me; chained her up like an animal in the basement at Fangtasia, fang raped her along with Edgington and then told her about Bill’s betrayal. I’d bought her house and crept up on her when she’d been changing and I’d built myself a cubby there. Not to mention everything prior to the Russell incident. I’d tricked her into taking my blood and that had obviously angered her, yet she had saved Godric from the roof. I’d hurt her so many times, and yet she had still taken me in and looked after me when I’d lost my memory, she’d gone up on that roof to save my Maker because I couldn’t. It was no wonder she preferred the puppy dog version of me. It was only natural for her to question my devotion to her now that I was back to my normal self. Ack! What have I done?

During our little exchange, Ata and Godric had slipped out of the room together, and my Maker had shut down his half of the bond, not wanting to influence my emotions. I was grateful to them both for leaving me in peace. I would deal with Ata later. Not knowing what to say in response, I watched my lover for a moment, observing her shaky frame, the tears rolling down her cheeks and her wobbling lower lip.

“Please don’t cry,” I finally asked gently, moving to capture her tears but she flinched. She flinched. Anguished at her reaction, I felt lost about what to do. It wasn’t an emotion I was used to and one I didn’t particularly like. I could buy her diamonds to make it up to her, perhaps a new car, or she might like some new sundresses. “She doesn’t care for material possessions,” I reminded myself, sighing internally “What the hell am I supposed to do?” I mused to myself, attempting to touch her again. This time she didn’t flinch away and I managed to place my palm against her cheek, brushing my thumb against her cheekbone as I looked down into her baby blue eyes.

“If I may make a suggestion, take her for dinner this evening. Have dinner at the Paris Las Vegas in the Eiffel Tower Restaurant, the food and service are both incredible and they’re vampire friendly. Talk to her and tell her everything. Share yourself with her. I know the man who owns the hotel, give the staff my name and they’ll give you my usual table, which has beautiful views overlooking the entire strip,” the voice broke through my train of thought and if it weren’t for the Egyptian lilt I would not have guessed whom it was.

‘You are in my head,’ I commented, maintaining my cool. The last thing I needed was to lose it again.

‘I was going to tell you this evening and continue my training with her, but of course, this issue occurred. Besides, your mind is wide open. Sookie loves you, Viking. I held her as she cried for you earlier, she felt your pain at the memory and I could tell that she wanted to carry it with you. She was so frightened afterwards when she asked me if you’d be mad at her. You forget sometimes that she’s human, and you’re, well, you. She needs the reassurance you aren’t going to abandon her some time for someone else, cast her aside like some rag doll. She doesn’t want diamonds and flowers and clothes and candy, she just wants you to share yourself with her – your memories, your thoughts, your plans,” Ata’s voice continued in my mind as I slowly pulled my lover closer to me, cautiously wrapping my arms around her in an embrace. For a moment she was rigid as I pulled her closer, but she tentatively returned the gesture. Relief washed through me. She’d cried for me, cried for the loss of my human family even though it had been centuries before her time. The God’s had truly gifted me, and here I was getting angry simply because she wanted to be more involved in my life.

“You want to know what she told me this morning? She told me she believes you’re her mate. I don’t wish to overstep any boundaries here, but I think she’s proven her depth of love to you numerous times after everything she’s been through that has involved you. I think, if I may, that it’s time you step up to the plate and accept the fact she’s your mate, accept that you’re going to share your lives with one another. I know you were taught to hide your emotions and to never show weakness, but that’s not healthy. Tell her your secrets, tell her about your memories, show them to her if they’re acceptable and in return she’ll continue to stand by your side, her adoration for you will continue to grow and she’ll start sharing things with you. Love is a two-way street, you’d do well to remember that.”

Absentmindedly I stroked the back of my lover’s head, holding her close. Her fae scent had increased slightly, a side effect from using her magic I assumed. Her tears had stopped falling and she was no longer shaking. Instead, her head was buried in my chest and she was clinging to me. It was foolish of me to think that my words back in Russell’s mansion would have no effect on her.

“For someone whose head I wanted to rip off a few minutes ago, you’re being awfully nice,” I deadpanned.

“I’m not your enemy, Viking.”

“In that case that makes you a friend, and therefore I feel ‘Viking’ is obsolete. Please, call me Eric from now on,” I returned, knowing it was a way of thanks to the older Fairy.

I could almost hear her musical laughter in my head; it was a rather strange sensation. “Well then Eric, off you go. It’s Monday night and I have Sherriff duties to attend to. I’m going to kidnap your Maker for a while, hope you don’t mind!” She cheerily abandoned my head and I felt a slight twinge as she withdrew. Could Sookie do that now? She’d said before that she wasn’t able too; maybe they’d worked on that today also. ‘Woah, one thing at a time Northman!’

Capturing Sookie’s face in my hands, my eyes trained on hers, I owed her an explanation as well as an apology. “My beloved, let me take you for dinner. I have heard that you can have dinner at the top of the Eiffel Tower statue not too far from here. It overlooks all of the strip and everything is lit up at this time of night.”

She looked up at me for a moment and I could practically see the wheels in her mind turning, then I got a rush of relief and gratitude through the bond I share with her and she smiled absentmindedly. She obviously sought counsel with her kinswoman. With a small nod, she took my hand in hers and started to move back toward the bedroom to change. I wanted our misunderstanding to go away, so I pulled her gently into my arms as we neared the door, planting a sweet kiss to her lips before letting her go. “I love you,” I reminded her, opening the door to let her pass. I would make this up to her.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Ethereal Redemption is currently being re-worked. New chapters will be uploaded semi-regularly. Old chapters will remain on the site in the meantime. Thank you for your patience while this story is being improved.

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